Project SHARE

I. Introductions/Anti-Trust
Chairman Donovan called the meeting to order at 9:40 A.M., and welcomed a record low attendance of 16 people to the 31st meeting of Project S.H.A.R.E. There was a scheduled conflict with the Atlantic Salmon Authority meeting. Gary stated the Anti-Trust guidelines and are to be honored for the meeting. Gary thanked all the new folks attending and proceeded with a round of introductions and asked everyone to sign the attendance sheet.

II. Past Minutes
Executive Secretary, Matt Scott, asked the membership if there were any errors or omissions to the April 1, 1999, minutes. Hearing none, the minutes were approved as written.

III. Treasurers Report
Gary Donovan gave a summary of the Treasurers report prepared by Ed Hennessey covering a period from March 30, 1999 through May 28, 1999. The beginning balance for the period was $47,404.99, with debits of $16,213.30 and credits of $35,132.31, leaving an ending balance of $66,324.00. The Treasurers report was accepted and approved, as submitted.

IV. Funding Initiatives
Jed Wright, though not present, did call Matt. Matt reported that Project S.H.A.R.E. has been given a Maine Forest Service education grant in collaboration with the DSF to build a number of kiosks. Matt has submitted a DEP 319 proposal for Non-Point Source survey of the Dennys River for $22,000. Matt would now like to do a 319 proposal for the Machias and East Machias rivers. Project SHARE is also initiating the 1999 fundraising for another $32,000 for the DSF. The DSF is also participating in the 1999 NFWF collaborative.

V. Atlantic Salmon Conservation Plan
Henry Nichols reported that the State is waiting for the answer on listing by the end of June. The lawsuit is also pending on the listing decision. Development of the water use management plan is ongoing with some progress being made regarding pumping and storage. A water quality coordinator will be on board shortly to do the pesticides and water quality sampling the downeast rivers. The DMR is developing a loss control code by rule for the aquaculture industry to follow. The ASCP will fall into control of the new ASC in the near future. The low flow study for Washington and Hancock County streams is virtually funded. Bud Brown expressed his views over the conflict raised by ASA scheduling their meeting today at the same time as SHAREs. Lots of discussion ensued.

VI. Steering Committee
Matt and Gary briefed the membership on the Steering Committee meeting held on May 13, 1999, in Bangor. The Third Machias lake dam issue was asked to be resolved by the Research and Management Committees and returned to the Steering Committee for a final decision. A decision to hold the October SHARE meeting in Columbia falls on a trial basis was made and Matt will handle the arrangements. A subcommittee was formed to develop a business plan for a future Executive Secretary, a Fundraiser and paid Watershed Council Coordinators. There will be ongoing meetings to use SHARE's vision in developing a strategy ASAP to support SHARE into the next millenium. Gary asked if other members of SHARE would like to join the process. Lou Horvath volunteered and offered suggestion s of the pipeline folks, Bangor Hydro and the Aquaculture industry come to the table and contribute. Matt discussed LD 2206 and provided handouts of Rep. Matt Dunlap's letter. It does not look good for Council funding. The Committee endorsed Mike Hills education workshop to be held in Meddybemps on July 9 & 10, 1999. Currently our financial status looks good.

VII. Executive Secretary Report
Matt gave a brief report of his attendance to meetings; downeast, Augusta and the legislature; 319 workshops and new Council elections for the Narraguagus and Two Rivers. Matt commented on the Low Flow studies and the SHARE program for August.

VIII. Standing Committee Reports
Education Committee: Mike Hill summarized his activities under the NMFS contract i.e., the web site workshop at Meddybemps and resource manual second draft. You may access the web site for the Governors Seven Rivers by http.//www.asf.ca/maine councils/index.html The Meddybemps workshop is one he hopes to get lake association members turnout plus summer residents. Mike spoke on the use of Downeast Correctional facility inmates to help in removing beaver dams in cooperation with State Agencies. Work was completed on the Machias and he hopes to do some on the Narraguagus in late July. Mike too has been very busy for SHARE.

Management Committee and Research Committee: Bud Brown covered both committees as Gregg was at the ASA meeting. The Grand Lake Stream Guides Association representative Louie Cateldo met with and had a long discussion of the Third Machias lake dam. The Guides would like to have the dam replaced with a three-foot low head structure to hopefully improve the smallmouth bass fishery. Bud emphasized the need for IF&W to be at these meetings for their input. No decision was made and they explained to Louie the process and permitting requirements. There is a fair amount of opposition to the idea and once it is in the public arena it will become controversial. It will become bass vs. salmon and a divisive issue. Louie is to get back to the Committee with more information regarding data on flows. The GLSGA is looking for SHAREs support. Gary gave a brief history of the dam ownership and status by natural deterioration. Bud did mention the ISA news release from the aquaculture industry and everyones concerns.

IX. Project Updates
Special Report: Dan Morris from the NMFS gave us a report on the essential fish habitat (ESH) and designations regarding the Magnuson Act. Dan explained that any activities by Federal agencies would go through a consultation process regarding potential impact. The State is under no current obligation of these guidelines. Dan came to listen and make contact for future activity regarding the EFH identification process with a focus on Atlantic salmon. Some examples of Federal agency activities are logging, highways and dredging. To some states this sounds like another layer of government oversight. Dan then handed out samples of the designated list.
Watershed Council Representative, Watershed Councils Coordinator and DSF/WSRC/PRH reports: Dwayne Shaw reported on all of these as Kim was absent due to other business.

Dwayne ended up giving a lengthy report as he combined all of his activities into one. He called on Nate Pennell for some of the Two-Rivers activities. Lots of credit goes to Tracy Gamache for her efforts in getting the Two-Rivers Council together and organized. The newly active group called Friends of Tunk River (Tunk Stream) by Ashby Bladen and Andy Sprague was reported on. The Kiosks are being built and 15 will eventually be strategically located in each of the watersheds..
ASF Intern Quebec/Labrador Project: Dennis Rodgers is developing the resource guide in collaboration with Janet henry for all the watershed councils. This is to be a reference manual and is looking to have a final draft soon. Janet henry talked about the guide, the brochures and layout for the councils plus the newsletter. All of this information is to be used in recruiting volunteers. Lots of discussion and questions ensued. There was very good response to the presentation.

X. Congressional Delegation: No report.

XI. Legislators: No report.

XII. Program
Torrey Sheafe, 319 Project Coordinator gave us a detail overview of his work with the DEP grant and progress thus far. He has been very productive over the last three months with three training sessions, lots of news notices to the towns, plus getting the industrial landowners support. Now he has municipal endorsement as well as the Councils. He emphasized that the project is non-regulatory and to be user friendly. He provided all of us with a project summary. Torrey would like to meet with Dan Walters of OGIS soon and Matt will try to make the arrangements.

XIII. Other Business.
Matt will work on a corporate certificate for Project SHARE members. He will work with Janet Henry to develop a Brochure for SHARE.

Lou Horvath gave a positive perspective of SHARE history and the future needs of Atlantic salmon habitat protection.

Someone stated that Bill Gates has established a large philantropic account of $5 million for environmental issues.

Handouts of the SSSV virus news release were provided to everyone

Dwayne Shaw read a letter from the DOT District Engineer regarding highway and bridge crossings downeast and that those on the Atlantic salmon rivers deserve special attention. Thanks to Bill Reid for this effort!

Meeting adjourned at 12:00 P.M.
The next Project S.H.A.R.E. meeting is scheduled for August 5, 1999.

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